Alexander Smith: Bless Your Virus

Alexander Smith is a teacher, licensed clinical social worker, coach, writer, speaker, actor,
and artist. Living with HIV since 2003, he was diagnosed on St.
Patrick's Day, and views that "lucky" day as the moment he began to
live. In June of 2011, he was featured on CNN, commemorating 30 years of
HIV/AIDS. Coming Out with his status has shifted the isolation, stigma,
discrimination, and judgement that has accompanied his journey with the
virus. Through this courageous and necessary action, more love,
support, friendship, health, and abundance has graced his life. He is
the vision behind Bless Your Virus, a movement and conversation aimed to
inform and inspire. Its mission is to: Deconstruct shame, stigma and
secrets, spread compassion, courage, connection, kindness and
kinship and teach others a mindfulness as they learn to bless their fear,
disease, and virus. 4.Speak the C Word (cure).

Alexander is a native
of Salt Lake City, Utah, and is currently living in Southern
California. He has studied film and theater, earned a bachelor's degree
in human development from Brigham Young University, and a master's of
social work from the University of Utah. Shortly after his diagnosis he
started using crystal meth as a means to feel alive, invincible, and
uninfected. Coming In to an awareness of divine self, primarily through
meditation and yoga, Alexander has experienced years of sobriety.
Alexander is passionate about people, theater, film, food, wine, travel,
watercolors, cashmere, coffee, mornings and men. He is a gifted
therapist and coach and his practice is primarily based online from the
comfort and coziness of your couch (via SKYPE or FACETIME). For more
information about Alexander and his work, to view the CNN interview, or
read his monthly column, Cashmere Sex. Visit www.blessyourvirus.com for more information.

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I describe myself as a "positive person with purpose." My goal is to help people living with HIV/AIDS discover similarities in each other ... and form friendships. I want to ease the shock of a diagnosis and remind people that our dreams are not infected. I am also an HIV/AIDS cyber-activist, radio show host, blogger and social network guru.

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